Football for players who are blind or partially sighted in Australia has taken huge strides over the past three years thanks to the hard work and dedication of organisers.

Efforts to develop opportunities countrywide by Australian Blind Football culminated in national camps in Melbourne in May and Sydney in July this year, with athletes coming together from across the country to participate in the training camps.

Following the July camp teams were selected to travel abroad to represent Australia in blind football (B1) and partially sighted football (B2/B3 category) for the very first time in September this year.

Dave Connolly, the national co-ordinator and driving force behind the development and growth of the game in the country, was delighted by the team announcements:

“It’s been a long road to get to this point, but we have some really exciting times ahead. Our players and coaching staff know they are a long way behind other countries, but they are all looking forward to the challenge.”

“The creation of Australia’s newest national football teams is pretty amazing, and I am honoured to have played my part in getting all of the players and coaches to this point. Now it’s over to them to represent the green and gold with pride and take on the world.”

The team will head to Kochi, India, from 17th to 22nd September for a series of matches and joint training sessions with the India Blind Football team. This will be the first international competition for the team who preparing to compete in their first Asian Blind Football (B1) Championships next year.

Team captain Amir Abdi expressed his pride at the announcement:

“It is a great honour to be selected Captain of the Australian Blind Football team. I hope with my ability I can make Australia proud.”

The team will head to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 23rd to 28th September for a series of matches and joint training sessions with the Malaysia Vision Impaired squad. This will also be their first international competition, with the team starting their preparation for the next Vision Impaired Futsal World Championships which will be held in 2021.

Caption: the vision impaired (B2/B3) squad poses for a family photo.

Team skipper Nick Haydardedeoglu was understandably excited at the prospect of the trip to Malaysia:

“Being selected as the first captain of the vision impaired national team is a huge thrill that carries a large responsibility with a team that needs all the qualities of a leader, especially the ability to communicate well at all times. I’m honoured and privileged to be in that position.”

Congratulations to all players and coaching staff for their selection and we wish them all the best for the competitions.